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Half of all LGBTQ Americans live in a state without equal employment and fair housing guarantees. David Stacy of the Human Rights Campaign discusses the proposed Equality Act, which would amend federal civil rights law to include the LGBTQ population. Click here for part 1 of The Equality Act: Reintroduced.
Visit the Human Rights Campaign on the web, on Facebook or follow on Twitter.
Interview recorded on May 17, 2017. Hosted by Robert Traynham. Part 2 of 2.
Read a partial transcript of this interview below:
Traynham: Are we better off than we were 4 years ago, 10 years ago, with respect to LGBTQ rights
Stacy: There's no doubt that we've seen tremendous progress. More states have protections, although we still are far from that. The federal government has done more. We have repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell." We have open transgender military service now. So, we've really made some really significant steps forward. There's a long way to go. You know, if you can get married in any state in the country now, which is fantastic, but if you live in one of those states where there aren't these statewide protections, you know, you can face discrimination in your job, in housing, as you expressed, in credit, where you just wouldn't expect it. And so, there really is a need for these legal protections. But even then, once we have legal protections, you know, we've had legal protections for more than 50 years on race and there's still racial discrimination. So that's not a full solution. We're trying to change hearts and minds as well as laws.
Traynham: I'm going to throw you two outside-the-box questions.
Stacy: Sure.
Traynham: The first is, let's say I'm watching this program at home or perhaps on my smart device, and I'm just confused. I'm straight, but I'm just confused. I feel like I have a lot of questions, but I'm not exactly sure where I can get some answers. Where do I go
Stacy: Well, our website is a fantastic place. That was a really tough, tough question there. No, hrc.org -- we have a lot of information there, including coming-out guides -- coming out for people who want to come out themselves, but also we have guides for families. We have guides in coming out in your church or your religious institution. We have guides for how to come out in school. We have guides for educators around how to handle these issues in schools, because, you know, kids are often bullied because of their sexual orientation or gender identity or because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. And so, you know, a kid that is a boy that is more effeminate, even if they're not gay or transgender, might face bullying in school. Or, you know, a girl who's a tomboy -- you know, is what you used to call it -- may face discrimination there. And so, we have a lot of tools for parents, for teachers, other educators to deal with those problems, too.
Traynham: And my second kind of curveball question -- you just kind of answered it -- and that is, if I am a part of the LGBTQ community and I just don't know where to go, I feel like I can't talk to my parents, my grandparents, or my friends, and perhaps maybe I'm in a really rural area where I just can't walk down the street and maybe go to a community clinic or something like that, where do I go
Stacy: Yeah, well, you know, you and I are a lot older. And us growing up, you'd really be in a really tough pickle, right
Traynham: Yes, big-time.
Stacy: Because there really is nowhere to go. You really are isolated and you have to figure out who to trust, and there may be no one that you're sure of. You know, we're not in that situation. First of all, online, there are tremendous resources. We have resources on our website, but there's all kinds of LGBTQ organizations, youth-serving ones, that have resources available. And then, more and more schools are being supportive. And you know, a lot of schools, there are teachers that have, you know, little rainbow stickers or other things to show that they're supportive. There's more GSAs -- Gay Student Alliances -- in schools that provide support services. So there's really a lot of resources. If you go online and do some searching, it's really easy to find, especially for kids these days, you know They'll find it really fast, so it's really something you can really do easily.

The Asian American Pacific Islander community makes up six percent of the U.S. population, but is growing more than four times as rapidly as the total U.S. population. Asians are the largest group of immigrants to enter the U.S. as immigrants. A conversation with Janelle Wong, Senior Researcher at AAPI Data about the fastest-growing but one of the understudied racial groups in the United States.

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The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be hosted this summer in Seattle, with more than 4,000 athletes and coaches representing 50 states and the District of Columbia. Jason Schriml of the Special Olympics USA Games discussed the impact the games and this organization that highlights athletes with intellectual disabilities through highly competitive sports, uplifting experiences, and demonstrating inclusion for all.

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Preparations are underway for the 2020 United States Census. A fair and accurate count of all communities is of major importance, as data gathered is used to determine federal funding, congressional representation and more. For some populations, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the process can be of concern due to immigration status, language barriers and fear of providing personal information. John Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC joins Robert Traynham to discuss the importance of an accurate count, especially for the AAPI population in America.

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Filipino Americans make up the third largest subgroup of Asian Americans today, with millennials comprising nearly a quarter of this population. And while there about 4 million Filipino and Filipino Americans living in the U.S today, this population is underrepresented in political and leadership roles. Brendan Flores, National Chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations joins Robert Traynam to discuss the welfare and well-being of Filipino Americans and efforts to strengthen the personal and professional development of young Filipino Americans.

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According to the Pew Research Center, the U.S. Asian population increased 72 percent between 2000 and 2015, resulting in the fastest growth rate of any major racial or ethnic group. And as this population continues to grow, there remains a lack of involvement in politics and corporate leadership positions. Kendall Kosai, Deputy Director at OCA National discussed programs designed to help high school students explore their identity, and encourage them to become future community leaders.

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Korean Americans, like many other Asian Americans, are recent immigrants to the United States, emigrating in large numbers after 1965. As first and second generation Americans, many still have close ties with their homeland, where family and friends still reside. A discussion with Sam Yoon, Executive Director of the Council of Korean Americans on the Korean American community, including their ties to both North and South Korea.

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"The opioid epidemic is one that not only affects many communities, but the entire nation. According to a recent CDC study, 91 Americans die every day from overdosing on opioids. And while this number continues to grow rapidly, so does the need for proper care. Dr. Leana Wen, commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department shares a holistic approach to addressing this widespread, public health epidemic.

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LGBTQ youth in America are at higher than average risk for being bullied, harassed and attempting suicide. Having support from a trusted adult through mentoring can be key in helping these young people confront and cope with the challenges they face while exploring their sense of identity.
Ann Rodhe Payes of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America joins Robert Traynham for a meaningful discussion on how her organization is providing LGBTQ youth with mentors and other available resources to tackle this issue. See more of the discussion in part 2 of Mentoring LGBTQ Youth.
Interview recorded June 14, 2017.

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The market for smart toys and connected homes continues to grow. And while technology can provide convenience, safety, and educational benefits, it can also raise concerns about privacy. Are devices secure What kinds of information is being collected about you and your family What protections can you put in place to safeguard privacy
Jennifer Hanley of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) discusses the recent report Kids and the Connected Home: Privacy in the Age of Connected Dolls, Talking Dinosaurs, and Battling Robots.
Interview recorded June 14, 2017. Hosted by Robert Traynham.
Read a partial transcript of this interview below:

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As part of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, the Small Business Administration is studying how the practice of Multiple Award Contracts impacts the ability of women-owned and other socio-economic categories of small businesses to compete for government work. Jane Campbell, President of Women Impacting Public Policy discusses the SBA study, which is in response to a WIPP report regarding women owned businesses and government contracts.

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